Spring ahead with this fresh denim-on-denim look

Introducing “Runway to Real Life,” a new Yahoo Lifestyle series where we will be choosing a Spring/Summer 2018 runway look and teaching you how to re-create and wear the look today — through current shoppable fashion and beauty products that deliver the perfect, fresh-off-the-runway look at a fraction of the price.

Whether it makes sense or not, the way the current fashion week structure works is that collections are always shown one season ahead — spring collections in the fall and fall collections in the spring. That’s at least six months of waiting time before you can actually shop a look you’ve just seen on the runway.

Although some designers have embraced a ” see now, buy now ” format, the vast majority of designers have not. What’s more, the price tags on designer runway looks alone are always sky-high, running hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

Kate Spade’s Spring 2018 collection was extra-special because the iconic American brand is celebrating 25 years in 2018. The collection was largely inspired by Americana and Southern charm, particularly centered around the vibrancy and liveliness of New Orleans and its colorful landscape in the Garden District, as well as its vivacious jazz scene. The collection itself carried out the city’s bohemian, relaxed sense of charm found through its soft palette of dusty-pink and strawberry shaded blouses and gingham dresses, as well as a mixture of floral prints and denim-blue hues spotted across tops, bottoms, and accessories.

Real Life: Yahoo Lifestyle fashion and beauty writer Kerry Justich wears a similar dark denim cropped jacket and cropped wide-leg jeans from Topshop. To give it an edge similar to the peplum detail seen at Kate Spade, the jacket and jeans feature frayed edges along all their trimmings. Both denim pieces are priced under $120. For her shirt, we chose a striped blouse from Loft, which features a unique split bell sleeve that peeks through the jacket for an extra fashion-forward touch. For her shoes, we found a stellar pair of gingham knotted jewel slides from Nine West, which are reasonably priced at $79.

Since everything in the outfit thus far has been affordable, we decided to splurge on the final two accessories. We chose a geometric blue-and-white patchwork bag from Tory Burch and a pair of opulent 12k gold vermeil paillette earrings from Eddie Borgo. Re-creating runway looks is all about balancing the high with the low. If you are able to save money on some parts of the outfit, such as swapping the denim pieces for ones you already have in your closet, you can justify splurging on a higher-end accessory like a handbag or pair of shoes. But the key ingredient in this look is its broad versatility.

This Kate Spade-inspired outfit can take you through the week, from the office to dinner and from brunch to the museum — the options are endless. But the best news is that the look is comfortable, yet still classy. By choosing denim pieces that possess a little extra flair and pairing them with statement accessories and shoes, you can transform an ordinary denim outfit into a fashion-forward look.

For Kate Spade’s Spring 2018 presentation, models wore styles that remained true to their unique hair textures. The key to achieving this effortlessly chic ponytail is making it look “like there’s no thought involved,” according to Kérastase consulting hairstylist Matt Fugate. You want to keep it “tight at the top” and “billowy, voluminous” with the pony. Begin by applying Kérastase Elixir Ultime Nourishing Hair Oil along the hairline. Then, use a boar bristle brush to gather hair into a mid-ponytail — securing with a bungee elastic for a firm hold. Finish by scrunching hair oil on the ends to add shine, and massage temples with fingertips or a fresh toothbrush to accentuate flyaways.